Yardsmart: Oily plants best shrubs for dry gardens

Tuesday

Sep 25, 2012 at 12:01 AMSep 25, 2012 at 4:19 PM

Living for decades amid the richest ecosystems of native shrubs taught me a great deal about how these plants survive such extended drought every year. They manage to remain green throughout these months. Not with moisture, but the next-best thing: oil.

Maureen Gilmer

In much of the inland West, rain won't fall from May to December.

Living for decades amid the richest ecosystems of native shrubs taught me a great deal about how these plants survive such extended drought every year. They manage to remain green throughout these months. Not with moisture, but the next-best thing: oil.

Anyone who has burned Manzanita firewood may have discovered this the hard way. Oils in inadequately seasoned wood build up in the flue, potentially causing chimney fires. The wood also burns hotter and longer, much like coal.

Early pioneer blacksmiths preferred it where coal was unavailable for their forges. This is why wildfires among these oily natives are so devastating. There's not just wood fuel, but oil that can burn longer and hotter to resist suppression more than any other kind of fire.

Oily Western natives are among our best shrubs for dry gardens where water availability is limited. Once established, most of these shrubs can survive more than six months without a drop of water. They are best planted young and in the fall to allow the long wet rains of winter to help them become established. Then help them along the first few summers until their root system attains its optimal size and reach.

Heteromeles arbutifolia -- California toyon or Christmasberry. This evergreen is the perfect alternative to thirsty hedges and decorative holly, yet remains the most unappreciated native shrub. Its large leaves and bright red berries ripen by the holidays and have long been the favorite decorating material for Christmas.

Fremontia -- flannel bush. In the Sierras, the local species is only found on south-facing slopes. In spring, large golden flowers cover these shrubs with their soft, fuzzy gray-green leaves. Named cultivars have provided larger, more attractive garden varieties.

Ceanothus -- California lilac. The blue flowers of this shrub are legendary, with many species native to different parts of America, but they are concentrated in the Pacific Coast states. Some thrive in the moist coastal hills, while others grow rampant in the inland mountain ranges and valleys. Choose from the most drought-resistant inland

Arctostaphylos -- manzanita, bearberry. The brick-red bark and bell-shaped flowers of this drought-adapted Western native make it a standout in gardens. Quarter-sized blue-green leaves turn their knifelike edges to the sun during drought. Berries are also a big wildlife draw. This will be sensitive to watering during the summer and must be managed with care.

Provide deep but infrequent water the first couple of summers until roots reach well beyond the original planting hole. This forces roots to go deep and wide in search of moisture trapped underground. Only when the root system has reached sufficient size will these plants achieve their true drought resistance.

During dry years, it's best to look to nature for ways to make gardens better adapted to future climate change. This is even more important in states new to drought conditions where the water demand has exceeded supply. The call for conservation demands a change in the way home landscapes are created. These Western natives provide a beautiful set of shrubs that replace many thirsty species.

Some of them will be available from your local garden center, but they require special care in containers where they are vulnerable to overwatering while in stock. Just ask the garden-center staff for a special order, which brings them in from local native-plant growers while at peak health. That way the plant comes in and goes right out to your garden where it should be transplanted immediately.

Shop for these Western native shrubs and discover the many species available online through these dedicated growers: